Kawasaki ZRX1100 (1997-2001) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki ZRX1100.
The Kawasaki ZRX1100 was part of the Kawasaki Z series. It was introduced in 1997 and made up until 2001. In 2001, the ZRX1100 and was replaced by the larger-engined ZRX1200 motorcycles.
The ZRX1100 and the later ZRX1200 were styled like 1980s muscle bikes, which were large bikes with large engines. Conceptually they’re quite similar — large, naked motorcycles, retro-designed, with inline-four engines that were carburettor-fed.
There are bikes today that still have the same aesthetic, like the classically-styled but very-modern Kawasaki Z900RS.
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Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki ZRX1100
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki ZRX1100.
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a time or distance interval — whichever comes earlier.
The maintenance for the Kawasaki ZRX1100 was originally broken into two sections: Emission Related, and Non-Emission Related. They have been combined.
Notes:
- Many items were originally classified as “Kawasaki dealer service-only”, but of course, times have changed and you’re probably working on this yourself.
- For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here (servicing evry 3000 mi or 5000 km)
- For items marked “check” — adjust, tighten, or replace as necessary.
- Some items need to be serviced more often if the bike is ridden hard.
| x1000 km | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x1000 mi | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | Every |
| Engine oil — change | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 6 months |
| Oil filter — replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Spark plug — clean and gap | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Valve clearance — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Carburetor synchronization — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Idle speed — adjust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Throttle grip play — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Air suction valve — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Air cleaner element — clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Brake light switch — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brake pad wear — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brake/clutch fluid level — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Month |
| Brake/clutch fluid — change | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
| Steering — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nuts, bolts, and fasteners tightness — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Tire wear — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| General Lubrication — perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Front fork oil — change | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
| Front fork oil leak — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Rear shock absorber oil leak — check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Swingarm pivot — lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Coolant — change | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
| Radiator hoses, connections — check | |||||||
| Steering stem bearing — lubricate | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
| Brake/clutch master cylinder cup and dust seal — replace | 4 years | ||||||
| Caliper piston seal and dust seal — replace | 4 years | ||||||
| Clutch slave cylinder piston seal — replace | 4 years |
Maintaining Your Chain on the Kawasaki ZRX1100
It’s important to maintain your chain on the ZRX1100, as on any chain-driven motorcycle. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain.
Kawasaki recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste) | 400 mi / 600 km |
| Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary Target slack on the ZRX1100: 25-35mm | 600 mi / 1000 km |
| Check drive chain condition (20-link length) and sprocket condition (worn/broken teeth). Replace if necessary. Limit 20-link length: 323 mm | Service |
Notes:
- Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your ZRX1100 in dusty or rainy conditions.
- Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.
If adjusting the drive chain slack, tighten the relevant bolts to the following specs:
- Adjuster clamp bolts: 39 Nm / 29 ft-lb
- Axle nut: 98 Nm / 72 ft-lb
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki ZRX1100
The Kawasaki ZRX1100 has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard (tubeless type). Stock, the ZRX1100 shipped with Bridgestone Battlax or Dunlop D204 tyres. These days, people fit other sport or sport touring tyres.
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 (58W) | 225 kPa/32psi |
| Rear | 170/60 ZR17 (72W) | 250 kPa/36psi |
About the Kawasaki ZRX1100
The Kawasaki ZRX1100 is a standard or sport motorcycle (these days called a “naked” or “retro”) powered by 1052 cc, four-stroke, transverse four-cylinder, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder engine.
The engine for the ZRX1100 is loosely based on the Kawasaki ZX-11, which was once the world’s fastest motorcycle. But Kawasaki changed a few things. A low compression ratio (10:1) combined with less lumpy cams, more flywheel effect, and smaller (36mm vs. 40mm) carbs give the ZRX a flat torque curve. A gear-driven counter-balancer quells secondary vibration.
But the Kawasaki ZRX1100 is still a very fast motorcycle, capable of over 200 km/h, as the speedometer indicates.
In general, the “very fast” ZX-11 was tamed to become the “quite fast” ZRX1100. Along the way, the style was significantly changed — more form over function.
Kawasaki also polished the valve covers to draw attention to the DOHC layout. They also polished the cylinder fins for more glam appeal.
The engine is housed in a double-cradle tubular-steel frame, which has a removable aluminum down tube to ease engine removal.
The ZRX1100 also has very good, modern braking, with six-piston calipers on twin 283 mm discs up front.
Manual for the Kawasaki ZRX1100
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100, which is available here.
